Beverage holder

ABSTRACT

A wrap provides one or more stimuli to a child during feeding. This creates interest in feeding, increases the child&#39;s attention span, keeps the child occupied during feeding, provides comfort and security, fun and enjoyment, and generally improves the child&#39;s mood during feeding. The beverage container wrap has an inside face and an outside face, the outside face generally facing away from the beverage container, the outside face comprising at least one attachment configured to capture the attention of the child using the beverage container.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The field of the invention is beverage holders.

BACKGROUND

Many parents of infants and small children use bottles during feeding. These bottles usually lack any stimulus for the child besides the interface between the nipple and child, which can leave the child bored and restless during feeding. This restlessness may lead to bottle rejection, distraction, or the child may not eat as much from the bottle as he or she otherwise would eat. Alternately, the child may become generally unhappy while eating in a still and unstimulating environment.

SUMMARY

The goal of the present invention is to create interest on the part of the child to feed, and to provide one or more stimuli to a child during feeding. This increases the child's attention span, keeps the child occupied and focused during feeding, provides comfort, security, enjoyment, and generally improves the child's mood. Another goal of the present invention is to provide a convenient insulating holder for a beverage container that is applied to the container similar to swaddling a small child. Such an application invokes the goodwill a parent associates with a child with the mere application of the wrap on a container.

In one embodiment, the invention a beverage container wrap having an inside face and an outside face, the outside face generally facing away from the beverage container, and the outside face comprising at least one attachment configured to capture the attention of the child using the beverage container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a first embodiment of the inventive wrap.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 1, shown as applied on a baby bottle.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5-8 show elevation views of the sequence of steps necessary to apply the wrap shown in FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of the inventive wrap.

FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 9, shown as applied on a baby bottle.

FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of a third embodiment of the inventive wrap.

FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 13, shown as applied on a baby bottle.

FIG. 16 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a front elevation view of a fourth embodiment of the inventive wrap.

FIG. 18 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a front elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 17, shown as applied on a baby bottle.

FIG. 20 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a front elevation view of a fifth embodiment of the inventive wrap.

FIG. 22 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a front elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 22, shown as applied on a child's cup.

FIG. 24 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a front elevation view of a sixth embodiment of the inventive wrap.

FIG. 26 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap in FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a front elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 25, shown as applied on a child's cup.

FIG. 28 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a front elevation view of a seventh embodiment of the inventive wrap.

FIG. 30 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap in FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a front elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 29, shown as applied on a child's cup.

FIG. 32 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a front elevation view of a eighth embodiment of the inventive wrap.

FIG. 34 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap in FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 is a front elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 33, shown as applied on a child's cup.

FIG. 36 is a rear elevation view of the inventive wrap of FIG. 35.

FIGS. 37-52 show different embodiments of the inventive wrap applied to bottles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The inventive wrap 10 is as shown in FIGS. 1-48, applied to baby bottles (FIGS. 1-20), child or sippy cups (FIGS. 21-36), and bottles (FIGS. 37-48). It should be understood that a person could apply the wrap to any generally cylindrical container, although beverage containers are presently preferred.

The wrap 10 generally encloses a beverage container (baby bottle 12, child's cup 112, or other beverage bottle 212) to thereby provide insulating properties to the container 12. The wrap 10, when laid flat as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6 (as well as other Figures showing various attachments) has an inside face 14 and an outside face 16. The inside face 14 faces the container 12 when folded to enclose the container 12. The outside face 16 faces generally away from the container 12.

The wrap 12 has first and second wrap portions, 20 and 30 respectively divided along the line 22. An axis of symmetry 40 divides the first (left) 42 and second (right) 44 side portions of the wrap 10.

A person applies the wrap to a beverage container 12 as shown in FIGS. 5-8. A person places the bottle 12 on the open wrap 10 second portion 30 as shown in FIG. 6, such that the container 12 rests against a non-slip material 18 (a rubber or other similar padding) that discourages movement of the container 12 relative to the wrap 10. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the first portion 20 folds over the container 12. The final step, shown in FIG. 8, joins the left 42 and right 44 side portions of the second portion 30 to the first portion 20. A person secures the wrap 10 around the container 12 by joining the VELCRO™ or other fasteners 22 and 32 to one another. Alternately the left 42 and right 44 side portions could be secured one to the other over the first portion 20.

The applied wrap that partially encloses the beverage container is as shown in FIG. 8, which shows that the container's nipple 13, spout 113, or opening 213 extends outside of the wrap 10.

It should be understood that the application of the wrap is the same for baby bottles 12, child cups 112, and bottles 212.

The above sequence describes the application of the wrap 10 to a container 12, and FIGS. 9-48 show additional inventive features of the invention.

In order to provide a child with interesting visual, auditory, tactile, and/or scented stimuli during feeding, the wrap can further comprise various attachments, preferable extending from the wrap's outside face 16. For example, the wrap my have attachments that light up or make sounds in response to pressure.

These features include, as shown in a second embodiment of the wrap in FIGS. 9-12, ribbons 60, buttons 62, or fringe 64. The ribbons 60 and fringe 64, as well as other attachments discussed below, could be long enough to touch a child's face, or shortened so they cannot contact a child's face, depending on a child's preference. Each of the attachments provides visual and tactile stimulation.

FIGS. 13-16 show a third embodiment of the wrap 10 that has handles 66, in addition to ribbons 60, buttons 62, and fringe 64. The handles 66 are such that a child can grasp them during feeding, or more likely, slide her hands under the handles 66 to better grasp the container 12.

FIGS. 17-20 show a fourth embodiment of the wrap 10 that has all of the aforementioned features of ribbons 60, buttons 62, fringe 64, and handles 66. In this embodiment, however, the fringe 64 is shown as longer and not as thickly woven, and the handles 66 are also longer to accommodate larger hands or at least allow movement of the hands within the handles to play with an attachment labeled in the Figures as 61.

FIGS. 21-36 show the wrap 10 as applied to a child's cup 112. It should be appreciated from FIGS. 21-24, which show the fifth embodiment of the wrap 10, that the wrap 10 is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-20, although it is dimensioned to enclose a different sized container 112.

FIGS. 25-28 show a sixth embodiment of the wrap 10 that resembles a character face—in this case the face of an elephant. The placement of the nose 70, tail 72, and handles 76 contribute, along with the pattern on the wrap 10, to the appearance of the wrap 10 as an elephant. It should be particularly appreciated from the placement of the handles 76, that folding the wrap 10 around the cup 112 opens the handles 76 for easy grasping of the cup 112.

FIGS. 29-32 show a seventh embodiment of the wrap 10 that resembles a cat's face. The placement and shape of the handles 76, tail 78, whiskers 80, nose 82 and drawn face on the wrap 10 all contribute to the appearance of the wrap 10 as a cat's face.

FIGS. 33-36 show an eighth embodiment of the wrap 10 showing another face with bendable arm-shaped handles 86, a squeaky nose 88, and a tail 90.

It should be appreciated that in order to make the faces in FIGS. 25-36, the faces must be illustrated, and attachments connected, on the outside face 16 of the wrap 10. This arrangement, for example with reference to the seventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 29-32, requires forethought and layout. With reference to FIG. 20, the eyes are located on the second portion 30 of the wrap on either side of the axis 40, while the teeth and mouth are located on the first portion 20, and the eyes, teeth, ears and tail are so located such that when the wrap 10 is folded around the cup 112, voila, it's a face.

It should further be appreciated that the faces in FIGS. 25-36 provide an additional benefit in terms of stimulating children, since children have been shown to enjoy faces more than other purely decorative designs.

FIGS. 37-48 show embodiments of the wrap as applied to a larger bottle 212, such as a wine, beer, water, or soda bottle.

FIG. 37 shows a wrap 10 formed to resemble a football, which would appeal to a sports fan; similarly, FIG. 38 is a baseball. In both cases, the preferred material for the wrap 10 would be leather, vinyl, vinyl, or a facsimile thereof.

The wrap of FIG. 39 resembles a purse, and includes a handle 96 by which the bottle can be held securely.

The wrap of FIG. 40 is decorated with ribbons to resemble a gift box, (similar to the wrap shown in FIG. 45).

The wrap of FIGS. 41-44 resemble characters on one side, with certain accessory holders on the rear side of the bottle, including pouches 98 for holding a pen, paper clips, cell phone, sticky notes, and the like.

The wrap of FIGS. 46 and 48 resemble formal clothing (a tuxedo and formal dress respectively) and finally, FIG. 47 is arranged as a seal resembling an award or degree.

FIGS. 49 and 50 show front and rear views of a wrap 10 having lights 302 that light up to provide stimuli to the person using the bottle. The lights can light on touch, light in reaction to a bottle's movement, be constantly lit, light up in prearranged patterns, or light up in random patterns. FIGS. 51 and 52 show that the lights can be shaped in different patterns, like stars 304, or birds 306. It should be appreciated that as the light turns on between the birds 306 on the wrap, the birds simulate movement. Preferably, a small battery positioned at the bottom of the container 12 powers all of the lights; such a battery could also power a digital music player.

With respect to the squeaky nose shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the goal was to stimulate a child with sound. An alternate sound stimulation could be contained in digital music player with music that would be part of the wrap, or a digital device that could play and/or record sounds. The ability to play back sounds might be particularly soothing to a child, if the recording was the voice of a loved on (such as a parent), that could be played in the parent's absence.

Similarly, although not shown, a clear sleeve could be provided on the wrap 10 in which a photograph could be placed. Again, in the absence of a parent, this photograph might be of the parent, and provide the child with a known face to look at during feeding.

All of the attachments described herein could be removably attached to the wrap using Velcro™. The advantages of this are several. First, a child could play with the attachments separately and apart from the wrap 10. Second, the attachments could be mixed and matched according to a child's preference, which would allow a parent to find those attachments that most appeal to the child and attach those during feeding. Third, since the wrap is closely associated with a food item, the wrap itself and/or the attachments could be removed for easy washing of both the wrap 10 and the attachments. Fourth, the ability to sell the wrap with the flexibility of several faces, designs, and the like, would be a retail advantage.

Finally, the simple application of the wrap to the container will engender goodwill in the person applying it, as the application of the wrap is similar to swaddling baby, and wrapping a bottle or sippy cup in the manner described above, will link the goodwill between the two. 

1. A wrap for a beverage container comprising: a wrap configured to partially enclose a beverage container, the wrap having an inside face and an outside face, the outside face generally facing away from the beverage container, the outside face comprising at least one attachment configured to capture the attention of the person using the beverage container.
 2. The wrap of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment comprises ribbons.
 3. The wrap of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment comprises fringe.
 4. The wrap of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment comprises a tactile stimulating material extending from the outside face.
 5. The wrap of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment comprises a figure of a face.
 6. The wrap of claim 5, wherein the face comprises features that are three dimensional and extend from the outside surface of the beverage holder.
 7. The wrap of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment is removably attached to the outside surface of the beverage holder.
 8. The wrap of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment makes a sound.
 9. The wrap of claim 8, wherein the at least one attachment comprises a sound player that creates the sound.
 10. The wrap of claim 9, wherein the sound player is also a sound recorder capable of recording sounds, wherein recorded sounds can be played back through the sound player to capture the attention of the child.
 11. The wrap of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment comprises a clear sleeve within which a picture can be placed for viewing.
 12. The wrap of claim 1, the wrap being generally shaped, when laid flat, with an first and second wrap portions, wherein in use partially enclosing the container: the first wrap portion folds along an area dividing the first and second wrap portions to cover a first portion of the container; the second wrap portion folds along the area dividing the first and second wrap portions to cover a second portion of the container; wherein the first and second wrap portions overlap once the wrap encloses at least a portion of the container.
 13. The wrap of claim 12, wherein the wrap, including the first and second wrap portions, is symmetrical about an axis.
 14. The wrap of claim 1, the wrap having a generally flat configuration and a generally open ended cylindrical configuration, the wrap being able to change between said configurations; wherein in the first configuration, the wrap comprises first and second wrap portions wherein the wrap, including the first and second wrap portions, is symmetrical about an axis; wherein in the second configuration, the first wrap portion folds along an area dividing the first and second wrap portions to cover a first portion of the container, and the second wrap portion folds along the area dividing the first and second wrap portions to cover a second portion of the container, wherein the first and second wrap portions overlap once the wrap encloses at least a portion of the container.
 15. The wrap of claim 14, wherein in the second configuration, the first portion attaches to itself to enclose at least a portion of the container.
 16. The wrap of claim 15, wherein the first portion attaches to itself at areas of the first portion on either side of the axis.
 17. The wrap of claim 14, wherein in the second configuration, the first portion attaches to the second portion to enclose at least a portion of the container.
 18. The wrap of claim 1, wherein the inside face comprises a non-slip material that discourages the container from removal from the wrap when the wrap partially encloses the container.
 19. The wrap of claim 1, wherein when the wrap partially encloses the container, handles extend from the wrap that allow for easy grasping of the container therein.
 20. The wrap of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment comprises a light.
 21. The wrap of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment comprises a plurality of lights that light in a manner consisting of one or more of the following: lighting on touch, lighting in reaction to a bottle's movement, being constantly lit, lighting in prearranged patterns, and lighting in random patterns.
 22. A wrap for enclosing at least a portion of a baby bottle in which the wrap is applied to enclose the portion of the baby bottle in a manner similar to an application of a diaper on a child. 